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Kindergarten · lesson 4 of 4

Check Whether Two Sides Name the Same Amount

Draw each sum as two small parts and count its total.

About 12 minutes, plus any extended practice

Download the grade pack

Supplied materials

  • Paper and a pencil; drawing and spoken explanations are welcome. An adult may read directions and options aloud.
  • Supplied worked-case record: The sentence 2 + 3 = 4 + 1 is true.
  • All quantities and shape descriptions are supplied in the worked example and questions; no purchase or personal information is needed.

Learn the idea

The equal sign means that both sides name the same amount. It does not mean to write any answer after it. You can build each side with marks and match the totals. Different splits can still name one equal whole.

Draw each sum as two small parts and count its total. Compare the totals rather than the individual parts. Choose the missing part that makes the two totals match.

Build each side separately before comparing. Different parts can have equal totals. Draw the left total and the right total on separate rows.

  1. Draw the left total and the right total on separate rows.
  2. Follow the worked example. Point to each number or shape feature and say what it tells you.
  3. Draw each sum as two small parts and count its total.
  4. Try the question and then the three practice questions. Check your answers and explain any change you make.
Worked example

See the method in action

The sentence 2 + 3 = 4 + 1 is true. The left side names five marks, and the right side also names five. The parts are different but the totals match. In 2 + 3 = 4 + 2, the right side is six, so it does not balance.

Your turn

Check your reasoning

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Helpful tips
  • Build each side separately before comparing.
  • Different parts can have equal totals.
Fill the blank: 1 + 3 = 2 + __.

Feedback appears here after you check. This is practice, not a graded school assessment.

See the answer and explanation

2

Both sides must have the same total. The result is 2.

Take it further

Check 1+4=2+3 with drawings. Expected: both sides equal 5.

Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. The answer download includes your current choice and any checked feedback. It does not include choices from the separate More practice section. Download that section separately.

More practice: try new cases

Choose an answer for each problem. Explain your method on paper, then use the feedback to decide what to revisit.

More practice: try new cases
1. Fill the blank: 2 + 2 = 1 + __.
Need a hint?
  • Build each side separately before comparing.
  • Different parts can have equal totals.
2. Fill the blank: 1 + 4 = 3 + __.
Need a hint?
  • Build each side separately before comparing.
  • Different parts can have equal totals.
3. Fill the blank: 3 + 2 = 4 + __.
Need a hint?
  • Build each side separately before comparing.
  • Different parts can have equal totals.

Your choices are temporary. Feedback appears after you check all the answers.

Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. Keep your own notes or download them before leaving. The score describes these questions; it does not certify subject mastery.

Check the subject sources

These LifeStarter passages, scenarios and exercises are authored for this Academy with AI assistance and review. External resources keep their publishers’ terms. A grade label suggests a starting level; it does not establish alignment with your school’s complete requirements.